For Immediate Release
Contact: Cindy Durley
1-800-FOR-DANB x428
cdurley@danb.org

DANB Seeks Nominations to the DALE Foundation's Board of Trustees

CHICAGO (March 24, 2010) – In order to better meet the needs of dental assistants and other members of the dental team in the areas of supplemental education and professional research, the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is establishing a separately incorporated non-profit foundation, named the DALE Foundation. The DALE Foundation is committed to Dental Assisting Learning and Education in support of DANB’s mission. The DALE Foundation has been formed to benefit the public by advancing dental assistants and promoting dental assistant certification, by developing and providing quality supplemental education and conducting sound research to support and promote oral health.

The composition of the DALE Foundation’s initial Board of Trustees will be as follows:

• Current Chair of DANB’s Board of Directors
• Immediate Past Chair of DANB’s Board of Directors
• Another past DANB Board Chair
• Six additional trustees with expertise in as many of these areas as possible:
  • Research
  • Education (dental, dental hygiene, dental assisting)
  • E-Learning
  • Employer (dentist)
  • Employment (dental office manager)
  • Public health
  • Corporate interests

  Please consider nominating yourself or another qualified individual for consideration to be elected as a Founding Trustee on the DALE Foundation’s Board of Trustees. The Nominating Committee to DANB’s Board of Directors will accept nominations postmarked or received by email or fax, before April 30, 2010.

  For nominations to be considered, they must include the following:

  • Letter of interest from the individual being nominated (or self-nominated)
  • Current resume/curriculum vita
  • A letter of recommendation from an employer, supervisor, or co-worker; or from someone who has served with the nominee on a committee or board of a state or national oral healthcare organization

  Written response to DANB Interview Questions for Nomination to the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees. (DANB will provide these questions to all nominees who meet the April 30th deadline.)

  The Nominating Committee to DANB’s Board of Directors may also choose to follow up with nominees by phone after review of their written documents before presenting the Committee’s recommendations to DANB’s Board of Directors for election to the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees.

  If you are personally interested in being considered for election to the DALE Foundation Board of Trustees, or wish to nominate someone else, please submit all information as noted above to:

  Cynthia C. Durley, MEd, MBA
  Executive Director
  Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.
  444 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 900
  Chicago, IL 60611

  Fax: 312-642-8507
  Email: cdurley@danb.org

  To be considered, complete nominations must be postmarked or received no later than April 30, 2010.

  DANB’s Board of Directors will review the recommendations of DANB’s Nominating Committee, and will hold elections in May. All nominees will be contacted by DANB with the results of the election no later than May 31, 2010. The first meeting of the Founding Trustees of the DALE Foundation’s Board of Trustees will be held in Chicago on Wednesday, August 11, 2010.

  For more information, including Board of Trustees’ responsibilities and upcoming meeting dates:

  Download the complete DALE Foundation Board of Trustees nomination requirements.

  Or, visit www.danb.org, or contact Cindy Durley (cdurley@danb.org) or Liz Koch (lkoch@danb.org).

  For more information about DANB, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.

  ###
  
  

  About DANB
  DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing organization for dental assistants. DANB's certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. DANB serves the public by promoting a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence, DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. Currently, there are more than 32,000 DANB Certifcants nationwide, and DANB Certifications and Certificates of Competency are recognized or required in 37 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Air Force, and the Veterans Administration. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, DANB Certification may be earned in the areas of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and/or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA). In addition to these two national certifications, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE). The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam, and ICE is also a component of the COA exam. Individuals may take these components separately in order to earn Certificates of Competency. Passing either or both of these exams demonstrates a dental assistant's competency in these two areas that are important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike.

  
  
  Return to the List of Press Releases
  
  
  

  ---

  
  
  
  

  DANB Releases E-Learning Courses

  
  
  

  DANB Releases E-Learning Courses
  
  

  CHICAGO (January 8, 2010) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) launched its first online e-learning courses this week. The offerings include an online review course in conventional dental radiography and an assessment-based certificate program (ABCP) in accounts receivable. ABCPs are based on specific education components and contain a post-course assessment.

  DANB's Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course
  DANB's Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course was developed for chairside assistants or dental assisting students who have some background in dental radiography, and a basic understanding of dental radiography vocabulary and general dental assisting duties. The interactive review course covers basic radiation biology concepts, radiographic processing and exposure, mounting and labeling procedures, infection control techniques and quality assurance procedures.

  DANB's ABCP: Accounts Receivable
  According to the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (formerly known as the National Organization for Competency Assurance [NOCA]), an Assessment-Based Certificate Program (ABCP) is a non-degree granting program that:

  (a) Provides instruction and training to aid participants in acquiring specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies associated with intended learning outcomes; and
  (b) Evaluates participants' accomplishment of the intended learning outcomes; and
  (c) Awards a certificate only to those participants who meet the performance, proficiency, or passing standard for the assessment(s).

  An ABCP is not a professional certification program. Information about the distinction between an ABCP and a professional certification can be found on the e-learning pages on DANB's website, www.danb.org/learning.

  Designed for dental office managers, dental assistants and receptionists, DANB's ABCP: Accounts Receivable is an interactive professional development course covering accounts receivable topics for the dental office. During the online course, participants learn about accounts receivable, develop dental practice financial policy and financial agreement templates for the employer's consideration, demonstrate knowledge of payment methods and billing stages, and enhance their communications skills in the area of accounts receivable. DANB's ABCP: Accounts Receivable is accessible for ninety days after purchase, allowing learners to revisit topics and take notes before completing the post-course assessment.

  "We are very excited to launch DANB's e-learning courses," said DANB's Executive Director Cindy Durley, MEd, MBA. "They are accessible, affordable courses and provide dental assistants and dental office managers with engaging career development opportunities."

  DANB's e-learning courses can be accessed at www.danb.org/learning. Participants earn 4 DANB CDE credits for each course. DANB's Conventional Dental Radiography Review Course costs $30.00, and DANB's ABCP: Accounts Receivable costs $50.00.

  For more information about DANB, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.

  ###
  
  

  About DANB
  DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing organization for dental assistants. DANB's certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. DANB serves the public by promoting a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence, DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. Currently, there are more than 32,000 DANB Certifcants nationwide, and DANB Certifications and Certificates of Competency are recognized or required in 37 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Air Force, and the Veterans Administration. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, DANB Certification may be earned in the areas of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and/or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA). In addition to these two national certifications, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE). The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam, and ICE is also a component of the COA exam. Individuals may take these components separately in order to earn Certificates of Competency. Passing either or both of these exams demonstrates a dental assistant's competency in these two areas that are important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike.

  
  
  Return to the List of Press Releases
  
  
  

  ---

  
  
  
  

  DANB COO Inducted as NCCA Commissioner

  
  
  

  DANB COO Inducted as NCCA Commissioner
  
  

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  CONTACT: Hanna Aronovich
  312-280-3417
  mediarelations@danb.org
  
  

  CHICAGO (December 30, 2009) – On November 20, 2009 DANB Chief Operating Officer Liz Koch, MPH, M.Ed., was inducted as a Commissioner of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The induction ceremony was held during the 2009 Annual Educational Conference of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (formerly the National Organization for Competency Assurance).

  "It is an honor to be appointed to serve on NCCA's Commission to uphold and enforce the high standards that certification agencies - including DANB - must meet in order for their certification programs to earn NCCA accreditation," Koch said. Koch is one of 12 NCCA Commissioners and will serve in the Administrative Reviewer capacity. Koch was nominated for the Commissioner position by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence's Nominating Committee and elected by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence's membership.

  While in the role of Commissioner, Koch will be responsible for reviewing the policy and procedures of credentialing organizations. "One of my main duties will be to review new and renewal applications and make accreditation decisions at meetings held throughout the year," Koch stated.

  The NCCA's mission is to "help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the accreditation of a variety of certification programs/organizations that assess professional competency." Using a peer-review process, the NCCA establishes accreditation standards, evaluates compliance with the standards, recognizes organizations/programs that demonstrate compliance, and serves as a resource on quality certification.

  Receiving NCCA accreditation demonstrates an organization/program has met the high standards of the NCCA. The NCCA has reviewed and accredited DANB's Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) national exam certification programs. DANB's CDA exam includes the General Chairside (GC), Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), and Infection Control (ICE) component exams. DANB's COA exam includes the Orthodontic Assisting (OA) and Infection Control (ICE) component exams.

  For more information about the Institute for Credentialing Excellence and NCCA accreditation, visit www.credentialingexcellence.org

  ###
  
  

  About DANB
  DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing organization for dental assistants. DANB's certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. DANB serves the public by promoting a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence, DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. Currently, there are more than 32,000 DANB Certifcants nationwide, and DANB Certifications and Certificates of Competency are recognized or required in 37 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Air Force, and the Veterans Administration. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, DANB Certification may be earned in the areas of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and/or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA). In addition to these two national certifications, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE). The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam, and ICE is also a component of the COA exam. Individuals may take these components separately in order to earn Certificates of Competency. Passing either or both of these exams demonstrates a dental assistant's competency in these two areas that are important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike.p>
  
  Return to the List of Press Releases
  
  
  

  ---

  
  
  
  

  DANB's RHS Exam Now Required in Pennsylvania

  
  
  

  New DANB's RHS Exam Now Required in Pennsylvania
  
  

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  CONTACT: Mary GiaQuinta
  312-280-3415
  mediarelations@danb.org
  
  

  CHICAGO (June 18, 2009) – Dental assistants in Pennsylvania are now required to pass the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, which is administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB), in order to meet state requirements to perform dental radiological procedures.

  This makes a total of 37 states, plus Washington, D.C., that recognize or require dental assistants to pass one or more of DANB’s national exams in order to meet state dental assisting rules or regulations. The Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry’s requirement of DANB’s RHS exam brings the dental assisting profession one step closer to national uniformity of state dental board radiography requirements.

  After passing DANB’s RHS exam, dental assistants must complete an application for authorization to perform dental radiological procedures, which can be found on the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry’s website.

  Upon issuance of authorization to perform dental radiological procedures, dental assistants who work in Pennsylvania may only perform dental radiological procedures on the premises of a dentist under the direct supervision of the dentist.

  The DANB-Pennsylvania RHS agreement went into effect on June 9, and in July, DANB will begin issuing monthly reports of passing RHS candidates in Pennsylvania to this state’s dental board. Dentists and employers from across the United States can call DANB to verify if a dental assistant has passed the RHS exam. Dental assistants who are already authorized by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry to perform radiological procedures, or who have already passed DANB’s RHS exam, do not need to retest. All who have not yet submitted the application required by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry, as noted above, must do so.

  For more information on DANB’s RHS exam, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB. Information on the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry can be found on their website or by calling 717-783-7162.

  ###
  
  

  About DANB
  DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing organization for dental assistants. DANB's certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. DANB serves the public by promoting a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. Currently, there are more than 31,000 DANB Certifcants nationwide, and DANB certifications and Certificates of Competency are recognized or required in 38 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, Certification may be earned as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and/or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA). In addition to these two national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE); these exams are also components of the CDA and COA exams.

  
  
  Return to the List of Press Releases
  
  
  

  ---

  
  
  
  

  DANB to Administer CDA Exam at ODA Annual Session

  
  
  

  DANB to Administer CDA Exam at ODA Annual Session
  
  

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  CONTACT: Mary GiaQuinta
  312-280-3415
  mediarelations@danb.org
  
  

  CHICAGO (June 16, 2009) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) will hold a special administration of its Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam in Columbus on August 29, 2009. The computerized exam administration will be held in conjunction with the Ohio Dental Association Annual Session, August 27-30 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

  The special CDA Exam Candidate Guide for the Ohio administration can be downloaded at http://www.danb.org/PDFs/2009ODACDA.pdf. Completed applications submitted with exam eligibility documentation, signature and fees, must be postmarked or faxed to DANB no later than Friday, July 31.

  Up to 20 qualified CDA exam applicants will be accepted, on a first-come, first-served basis. The ODA will provide free transportation from the convention center to the computerized testing center.

  The DANB CDA exam is one of two avenues to meet Ohio state requirements for dental assistant certification to perform certain functions under direct supervision, and for entry into coursework leading to the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) designation in Ohio.

  Last year, nine candidates tested, eight of whom are DANB Certified Dental Assistants today, and DANB expects an even greater turnout this year.

  "The DANB/ODA collaboration has brought benefits to both organizations, as well as to Ohio dental assistants and dentists," explains DANB Executive Director Cindy Durley, MEd, MBA. "By supporting DANB Certification, members of the ODA are working to ensure that their assistants meet national dental assisting competency standards, and demonstrate their commitment to lifelong learning."

  Paula Oliver, CDA, CDPMA, CODA, will lead a refresher course on Ohio dental assisting certification at the Annual Session on Friday, August 28. The course provides an overview of the various available paths to dental assisting certification in Ohio and provides an overview of the exams meeting Ohio certification requirements.

  DANB will be exhibiting at the ODA Annual Session, and staff will be available to answer questions during the meeting. Visit www.danb.org for more information.

  ###
  
  

  About DANB
  DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing organization for dental assistants. DANB's certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. DANB serves the public by promoting a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. Currently, there are more than 31,000 DANB Certifcants nationwide, and DANB certifications and Certificates of Competency are recognized or required in 38 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, Certification may be earned as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and/or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA). In addition to these two national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE); these exams are also components of the CDA and COA exams.

  
  
  Return to the List of Press Releases
  
  
  

  ---

  
  
  
  

  New DANB-Approved CPR Guidelines

  
  
  

  New DANB-Approved CPR Guidelines
  
  

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
  CONTACT: Mary GiaQuinta
  312-280-3415
  mediarelations@danb.org
  
  

  CHICAGO (April 8, 2009) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) has updated its CPR guidelines. Current CPR certification is required for annual renewal of DANB certification.

  As of 2/16/09, DANB accepts CPR cards from the following providers (CPR must be part of the course), if the course includes a clinical (hands-on) examination.

  Accepted CPR providers include:

• American Red Cross
• American Environmental Health and Safety
• American Heart Association
• American Safety and Health Institute
• Canadian Red Cross
• Emergency Care and Safety Institute
• Emergency First Response
• Emergency Medical Training Associates
• Medic First Aid
• Military Training Network
• National Safety Council (Green Cross)
• ProCPR (added Feb 2009) Not all courses include the hands-on exam so check with provider before taking course to be sure it will be accepted by DANB)
• Saudi Heart Association

For more information, visit DANB's Web site at www.danb.org or see the CPR guidelines flyer or review the Recertification Requirements.

###



About DANB
DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing organization for dental assistants. DANB's certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. DANB serves the public by promoting a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. Currently, there are more than 31,000 DANB Certifcants nationwide, and DANB certifications and Certificates of Competency are recognized or required in 38 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, Certification may be earned as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and/or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA). In addition to these two national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE); these exams are also components of the CDA and COA exams.



Return to the List of Press Releases




---






Air Force Dental Assistants Take DANB's ICE Exam





Air Force Dental Assistants Take DANB's ICE Exam

For Immediate Release
Contact: Mary GiaQuinta
1-800-FOR-DANB x415
mediarelations@danb.org

CHICAGO (March 20, 2009) -- The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) and the Air Force Dental Service (AFDS) are underway in their collaboration on the administration of DANB's Infection Control (ICE) exam. DANB's contract with the AFDS went into effect at the end of last year, and more than 40 candidates in the Air Force dental technical training program have since passed the exam and earned Certificates of Competency in Infection Control. The exam is administered once a month at Sheppard Air Force base in Texas.

By delivering DANB exams within the AFDS dental technician curriculum, the Air Force gains an independent verification of dental technician knowledge of federal infection control and occupational safety requirements and related national guidelines. This collaborative relationship also provides AFDS dental technicians with the opportunity to earn national DANB Certificates of Competency.

Earning a DANB Certificate of Competency in Infection Control can lead to a professional Certification - either Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) - for those who pass the required component exams. In addition, earning a Certificate of Competency in Infection Control and working toward DANB Certification helps military personnel meet civilian dental assisting requirements in a number of states and plan ahead for a smooth transition from military life to a rewarding civilian career.

DANB exams are required or recognized by 38 states as meeting dental assistant requirements. The ICE exam is specifically recognized or required for dental assistants working in Iowa, North Dakota, and New York and as a component of the CDA, required or recognized in 29 other states.

Effective October 1, 2009, DANB will also begin to administer the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam to AFDS students. The RHS exam has been in existence for more than 25 years, and is currently required or recognized as meeting radiology requirements in 31 states.

###

About DANB
DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing agency for dental assistants. DANB's certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). DANB serves the public good by providing a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence", DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. Currently, there are more than 31,000 DANB Certificants nationwide, and DANB credentials are recognized or required in 38 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, Certification may be earned in one or more of the following areas: Certified Dental Assistant (CDA®) or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA®). In addition to these two national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS®) and Infection Control (ICE®). The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam, and ICE is also a component of the COA exam, but individuals may take these components separately in order to earn Certificates of Competency. Passing either or both of these exams allows a dental assistant to demonstrate competence in these two areas that are very important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike.

Return to the List of Press Releases




---






Salaries Continue to Rise for DANB Certified Dental Assistants





Salaries Continue to Rise for DANB Certified Dental Assistants



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mary GiaQuinta
312-280-3415
mediarelations@danb.org



CHICAGO (October 16, 2008)- The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) has just released the results of its 2008 DANB Certificant Salary Survey, which found that pay rates for DANB Certified Assistants have gone up by more than 9 percent in the last two years, and remain higher than national averages for non-DANB Certified assistants.

The full-time respondents reported earning a median salary of $18.00 per hour, $1.50 an hour more than what DANB’s 2006 Salary Survey results showed. DANB Certified Assistants also earn $2.38 more than non-DANB Certified assistants, according to adjusted figures from a 2007 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey.

DANB Certified Assistants in specialty practices make more than those employed in general dental practice, with periodontal assistants earning the most, with a median salary $19.00 per hour. Of the Certified Assistants who responded to the survey, 49% have taken an expanded functions course since becoming Certified.

DANB Certified Assistants also continue to report career and employer loyalty. Respondents have an average of 16.7 years of field experience and have been in their current position for an average of 9.4 years. Both of these figures are up from the 2006 survey.

Other key figures include:
·73% of respondents work full time, with a median salary of $18.00
·82% work in private practice, with a median salary of $18.00
·67% work in general dentistry, with a median salary of $17.75
·DANB Certified Assistants report a median length of employment as a dental assistant of 16 years.
·Respondents working in the profession for 16-20 years earn a median salary of $18.00
·Respondents working in metropolitan areas earn a median salary of $18.98

According to respondents, the top three benefits of DANB Certification are self-gratification (83%), pride (75%) and recognition by employer (58%).

“The DANB Salary Survey was a great help to me when interviewing for jobs when [my husband and I] moved,” one respondent said. “I wouldn’t have known what to ask for in this area without that information, and would have asked for less.”

Other respondents note the survey is beneficial in assessing current pay scales. “Thank you for issuing this survey. I share this with my employer so he can assess where he is at with wages and benefits.”

For more information, see highlights from the 2008 DANB Certificant Salary Survey.

###



About DANB
DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing agency for dental assistants. DANB's certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. DANB serves the public by promoting a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence, DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. Currently, there are more than 31,000 DANB Certifcants nationwide, and DANB credentials are recognized or required in 37 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, Certification may be earned in the areas of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and/or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA). In addition to these two national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE). The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam, and ICE is also a component of the COA exam. Individuals may take these components separately in order to earn Certificates of Competency. Passing either or both of these exams demonstrates a dental assistant's competency in these two areas that are important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike.



Return to the List of Press Releases




---






DANB Executive Director Durley Wins NOCA Service Award





DANB Executive Director Durley Wins NOCA Service Award



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mary GiaQuinta
312-280-3415
mediarelations@danb.org



CHICAGO (December 23, 2008) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.’s (DANB) Executive Director Cynthia Durley, MEd., MBA received the 2008 National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) Service Award. NOCA is the national membership association for certification organizations and promotes excellence in credentialing across all professions, worldwide.

Presented on Friday, Nov. 21 at NOCA’s Annual Educational Conference in San Francisco, the Service Award is given to an individual who has displayed exemplary service and commitment to the organization, has facilitated the achievement of the organization’s goals and who has a history of volunteer service in NOCA.

Ms. Durley has been employed in the testing field since 1980, initially working as an instructor of statistics, testing and measurement at Loyola University of Chicago. In addition, she has previously worked in test development for the Academy of General Dentistry, and in test development and curriculum evaluation for the United States Navy. Ms. Durley became the Director of Testing and Measurement for DANB in 1986, a position she held until she was appointed Executive Director in 1996.

In 1999, Ms. Durley was elected as one of 10 Commissioners of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accrediting arm of NOCA. Serving as Co-Chair in 2002 and Chair in 2003 and 2004, Ms. Durley worked to revise NCCA’s national Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. Ms. Durley concluded her three-year term on NOCA’s Board of Directors by serving as NOCA President in 2006. During her tenure as a NOCA officer, Ms. Durley was primary author of A NOCA Guide to Understanding Credentialing Concepts. She also served on NOCA’s Management Services Committee, which was charged with evaluating the organization’s need for a new Executive Director, and was instrumental in the search and hiring process.

Ms. Durley was nominated for the award by Executive Director of the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation and NOCA Immediate Past President Cynthia Miller Murphy, RN, MSN, CAE. “I believe Cindy Durley is most deserving of the NOCA Service Award, not because of the long list of committees and other groups to which she has belonged, but because of the tremendous commitment, energy, enthusiasm, diligence, hard work and dedication that she has provided to NOCA in each of the positions that she has held,” Murphy said. “Cindy is a visionary leader and her abilities have greatly benefited NOCA; her service to NOCA has been exemplary in every way.”

Currently, Ms. Durley serves on NOCA’s Leadership Council and NOCA’s Main Committee on Assessment-Based Certificate Program Standards as the Co-Chair of the Work Group on Assessment. She is also a member of the NOCA ISO 17024 Task Force that is looking into standards for international accreditation of certification programs.

“It is a privilege and a pleasure to be involved with NOCA, an organization that promotes excellence in credentialing through education, research, advocacy, accreditation and standards,” Ms. Durley said. “DANB shares NOCA’s vision of ‘excellence,’ and I look forward to our continued relationship in the future.”

###



About DANB
DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing agency for dental assistants. DANB's certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. DANB serves the public by promoting a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. Currently, there are more than 31,000 DANB Certifcants nationwide, and DANB certifications and Certificates of Competency are recognized or required in 38 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, Certification may be earned as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and/or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA). In addition to these two national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE); these exams are also components of the CDA and COA exams.

About NOCA
Established in 1977, NOCA is the international leader in setting quality standards for credentialing organizations and through its division, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), has provided almost 30 years of accrediting services to the credentialing industry. NOCA’s membership is composed of credentialing organizations, testing companies and individual professional development consultants. Through its annual conference, regional seminars and publications, NOCA serves as the source for information on the latest trends and issues of concern to practitioners and organizations focused on certification, licensure and human resources development. NOCA and NCCA are based in Washington, DC. The Web site address is www.noca.org.



Return to the List of Press Releases




---






GiaQuinta Named DANB’s Director of Marketing and Communications





GiaQuinta Named DANB's Director of Marketing and Communications



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Cindy Durley
1-800-FOR-DANB ext. 428
mediarelations@danb.org



CHICAGO (June 24, 2008) - The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) is pleased to announce the promotion of Mary GiaQuinta to the position of Director of Marketing and Communications, effective immediately. GiaQuinta joined the staff of DANB on March 3, 2008 as Manager, Communications in the Marketing Department.

GiaQuinta has a long career as a writer and editor in the fields of marketing, government affairs, and media/public relations. After beginning her career as a legislative assistant in Washington, D.C., GiaQuinta served as Director of Government Affairs for the American Association of Exporters and Importers in New York.

Since then, GiaQuinta has been a consultant to numerous not-for-profit entities, including the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago, the Messenger Service Association of Illinois, and the Mail Systems Management Association. As a consultant to the Village of Flossmoor in the southern suburbs of Chicago, GiaQuinta co-authored a historical book entitled “Images of America: Flossmoor, Illinois.”

DANB Executive Director Cindy Durley describes Mary as “an insightful, creative addition to the DANB staff. She is a consummate communicator, bridge-builder, and problem solver. Mary’s prior experience in communications and government relations should prove invaluable in advancing DANB’s mission: To promote the public good by providing credentialing services to the dental community.”

GiaQuinta graduated with Distinction Honors from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in American Studies. In recent years, she volunteered in her community as president of Flossmoor School District 161 Parent Teacher Organization.


###



About DANB
DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing agency for dental assistants. DANB's certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. DANB serves the public by promoting a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence, DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. Currently, there are more than 31,000 DANB Certifcants nationwide, and DANB credentials are recognized or required in 37 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, Certification may be earned in the areas of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and/or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA). In addition to these two national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE). The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam, and ICE is also a component of the COA exam. Individuals may take these components separately in order to earn Certificates of Competency. Passing either or both of these exams demonstrates a dental assistant's competency in these two areas that are important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike.



Return to the List of Press Releases




---






DANB's CDPMA Exam to be Discontinued





Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Mary GiaQuinta 
1-800-FOR-DANB x415
mediarelations@danb.org

DANB's CDPMA Exam To Be Discontinued

CHICAGO (May 7, 2008) - The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) will discontinue administration of the current Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator (CDPMA) exam as of May 31, 2008, in order to evaluate the possibility of updating the exam to more accurately reflect current practice managers' responsibilities.

Last year, in conjunction with the American Dental Assistants Association and the American Association of Dental Office Managers, DANB conducted focus groups with dental team members employed as dental office managers, many of whom hold the CDPMA credential. DANB learned that the scope of the CDPMA role is expanding, with many managers entering the field with strong business backgrounds, rather than dental backgrounds.

As a result of these findings along with the analysis of CDPMA exam results, DANB determined that the current CDPMA exam content coverage might not reflect the practice of many if not most dental practice managers today. Therefore, the administration of the CDPMA examination will be discontinued during DANB's content validation study of this aspect of dental office practice. Applications to take the current CDPMA exam must be postmarked or faxed by May 31, 2008. Applications received after May 31 will not be accepted.

The current CDPMA credential is not affected by this change. CDPMAs can still annually renew their credential by meeting DANB's Recertification Requirements (12 hours of Continuing Dental Education, holding current DANB-accepted CPR certification and submitting the renewal fee). After June 1, 2008, reinstatement of a lapsed CDPMA certification will only be possible if the credential has lapsed for less than one year.

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits DANB's certification programs as meeting the highest standards of validity, reliability and objectivity. "DANB takes great pride in its national dental assisting certification exam programs," said DANB Executive Director Cynthia C. Durley. "By re-evaluating the CDPMA credential, DANB is proactively working to assure the value and integrity of DANB's certification programs."

###

About DANB
DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing agency for dental assistants. DANB's certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). DANB serves the public good by providing a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence", DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. Currently, there are more than 31, 000 DANB Certificants nationwide, and DANB credentials are recognized or required in 38 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, Certification may be earned in one or more of the following areas: Certified Dental Assistant (CDA®) or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA®). In addition to these two national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS®) and Infection Control (ICE®). The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam, and ICE is also a component of the COA exam, but individuals may take these components separately in order to earn Certificates of Competency. Passing either or both of these exams allows a dental assistant to demonstrate competence in these two areas that are very important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike.




Return to the List of Press Releases




---






DANB's 2008 State Publications Now Available





DANB's 2008 Career Ladder Template and State Fact Booklet Now Available



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mary GiaQuinta
1-800-FOR-DANB ext. 415
mediarelations@danb.org



CHICAGO (April 23, 2008) - The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) has published the latest versions of two essential publications: DANB's 2008 State Fact Booklet and DANB's 2008 Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants. These publications replace the 2007 versions and together are a complete guide to dental assisting regulatory requirements. DANB's 2008 State Fact Booklet and DANB's 2008 Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants are both must-have reference items for educators, state legislators, dental boards and dental professionals looking to further their careers.

DANB's 2008 State Fact Booklet provides current state requirements and excerpts from State Practice Acts, related specifically to the dental assistant, and noting the 37 states in which DANB credentials are currently required or recognized. The 2008 volume also contains the latest State Board of Dentistry contact information, accepted/required DANB exams, the number of assistants holding DANB Certification or other DANB certificates in the state, comparative salary information, general information on expanded functions and radiography requirements, and a list of Commission on Dental Accreditation-accredited dental assisting programs.

DANB's 2008 Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants is a reader-friendly guide outlining dental assistant requirements and career ladder opportunities for dental assistants in all 50 states. This resource will prove invaluable to both new and experienced dental assistants who are interested in verifying the dental assisting duties allowed in their state, who might plan to relocate or seek to develop their professional responsibilities and skills. It will also aid state dental board members and officials who are interested in reviewing their own regulations or comparing their state's requirements to others.

This state-specific and career ladder information is also available on DANB's Web site under the State-Specific Information link . Whether viewed online or in print, the information in both of these DANB publications can serve as a roadmap for dental professionals, educators and state legislators' future initiatives.

To order your copies, please see the attached order form. Or, for more information, visit www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.


###



About DANB
DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing agency for dental assistants. DANB's certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. DANB serves the public by promoting a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence, DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. Currently, there are more than 31,000 DANB Certifcants nationwide, and DANB credentials are recognized or required in 37 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, Certification may be earned in the areas of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and/or Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA). In addition to these two national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE). The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam, and ICE is also a component of the COA exam. Individuals may take these components separately in order to earn Certificates of Competency. Passing either or both of these exams demonstrates a dental assistant's competency in these two areas that are important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike.



Return to the List of Press Releases




---






Dental Assistants Support National Model for Service





CHICAGO (June 29, 2006) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.® (DANB®) and the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) have compiled the results of a survey sent to readers of the Position Paper of the ADAA/DANB Alliance: Addressing a Uniform National Model for the Dental Assisting Profession. Respondents indicate overwhelming support for the development of a uniform national set of tasks, levels, and requirements for assistants, and a career ladder for the dental assisting profession.

Over a quarter of a million dental assistants (266,000) currently practice in the U.S., of which an estimated 75-90% receive all or the majority of their training on the job. At present, there is no nationally accepted set of guidelines that governs the practice of dental assisting in the U.S., and some states have no requirements for dental assistants at all. This great variation in dental assisting requirements across states could negatively affect the quality of oral healthcare delivery. The situation also creates obstacles for the approximately 7,200 assistants who move each year from one U.S. state to another, and for those employer dentists who practice near bordering states.

The Position Paper of the ADAA/DANB Alliance: Addressing a Uniform National Model for the Dental Assisting Profession (September 2005) sets forth a national model for this important health care provider role. The proposed career ladder consists of four “rungs”: Entry Level Dental Assistant, Dental Assistant, DANB Certified Dental Assistant or Registered Dental Assistant, and Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. Each “rung” has its own set of training, education, and/or experience requirements, as well as a list of tasks that dental assistants at that level would be considered competent to perform.

The DANB/ADAA Study to Define and Rank Order Core Competencies for Dental Assistants (2002-05) provides the research which supports this model for dental assisting. Participants in the study rated 70 dental assisting tasks in terms of the training, education, and/or experience they believed should be (not what currently is) required to perform each one. The results reveal that professional practitioners consider certain tasks to merit more education and training than others—a standard that is currently not met nationwide.

In order to solicit feedback from the 730 individuals who received copies of the position paper, the ADAA/DANB Alliance sent readers a survey in December 2005. The purpose of this survey was to determine how readers planned to use the information contained in the paper, how they thought it would benefit oral healthcare, and whether it impacted their viewpoint on the dental assisting profession.

DANB received 115 responses to this survey (a 15.75% response rate) from a group that included dental assistants (both DANB Certified and non-Certified), directors of ADA-accredited dental assisting programs, state dental board members, national dental association staff members, members of U.S. federal agencies, ADAA officers, and dentists/employers. A breakdown of reader responses appears below:

While a few negative comments reflected a concern that DANB and ADAA continue to recognize on-the-job training as an option for entry into a dental assisting career, the high number of affirmative responses reinforce the ADAA/DANB Alliance’s view that it is time to give serious consideration to the adoption of a uniform national dental assisting model that establishes guidelines for the education, training, and credentialing of dental assistants. Understanding that state practice act provisions are the purview of each state, DANB and the ADAA can only make recommendations for these state bodies and their legislatures to consider. It is to be hoped that the conversations and questions initiated by the paper will continue among dental professionals, educators, and legislators in furtherance of this goal.

Visit www.danb.org to download an Executive Summary of the position paper (no charge) or an order form to purchase the paper in its entirety ($15; submit form via fax or mail to DANB). About DANB. DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the national Certification and testing agency for dental assistants, and its Certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). A dental assistant may earn one or more of the following national Certifications: Certified Dental Assistant – CDA®, Certified Orthodontic Assistant – COA®, and Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator – CDPMA®. In addition to the three national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS®) and Infection Control (ICE®). Currently, there are more than 31,000 DANB Certificants nationwide, and DANB credentials are recognized or required in 35 states.

About the ADAA. The ADAA is the oldest, largest group representing professional dental assistants. Established over 80 years ago, the ADAA provides continuing education to dental assistants through home study courses; professional journals; and local, state, and national meetings with educational agendas. It encourages education, registration, and certification for dental assisting professionals while providing a network of personal services for its members. Its members include clinical personnel (those working chairside with the dentist); administrative personnel (the receptionist, office manager, and practice manager); those working behind the scenes in dental product sales and insurance; and educators.

About the ADAA/DANB Alliance. In 2000, the ADAA and DANB formed a joint committee: the ADAA/DANB Ad Hoc Committee to Enhance the Dental Assisting Profession. In 2004, this Committee was renamed the ADAA/DANB Alliance to reflect a long-term commitment to advancements for dental assistants that are mutually beneficial to both organizations and to the profession. The purpose of the ADAA/DANB Alliance is to advance the dental assisting profession and to enhance the delivery of oral healthcare by presenting a united and strengthened voice that reflects all careers within dental assisting.

Return to the List of Press Releases




---






DANB Publishes Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants

View/Print as PDF



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dawn Capper
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 419
marketing@danb.org

CHICAGO (June 7, 2006) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) announces the publication of DANB’s 2006 State Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants, a reader-friendly guide to dental assisting requirements for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. This new volume is intended to guide readers to a clearer understanding of how each state defines the job titles and the legal practice of dental assistants and (in some states) orthodontic and oral and maxillofacial surgery assistants.

Each state’s Career Ladder Template contains information drawn from that state’s dental practice act, which DANB provided to all state dental boards for review and approval. The template specifies the tasks, if any, a dental assistant can perform without any education, training, or exams; the required level of supervision; and the precise entry-level job title in that state. Each template then defines the requirements (such as coursework or exams) that an assistant would need to complete in order to move up the career ladder.

DANB’s Career Ladder project is part of a larger initiative to support the development of a national career ladder model for dental assistants, based on one set of core tasks, levels, and requirements. Understanding that state practice act provisions are the purview of each state, if dental assistants who are qualified to perform certain duties in one state are recognized as competent in other states, recruitment, employment, and job satisfaction of qualified assistants will improve. This will also allow dentists to focus on dentistry while assistants perform delegated duties, thus increasing access to care.

DANB’s 2006 State Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants will prove invaluable to anyone who is just entering the field of dental assisting, to those seeking career guidance, or to those wanting to understand the often complex rules and regulations for each state. It will help assistants who plan to relocate, who are interested in continuing their educations, or who seek to develop their professional responsibilities and skills. It will also aid state dental board members and officials who are interested in comparing their state’s requirements to others.

To obtain an order form for DANB’s 2006 State Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants, visit
www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB.

A sample template and a guide to its interpretation is presented below:




About DANB
DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing agency for dental assistants. DANB’s certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). DANB serves the public good by providing a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery.

As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence™, DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. Currently, there are more than 31, 000 DANB Certificants nationwide, and DANB credentials are recognized or required in 35 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, Certification may be earned in one or more of the following areas:

• Certified Dental Assistant – CDA®
• Certified Orthodontic Assistant – COA®
• Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator – CDPMA®

In addition to these three national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS®) and Infection Control (ICE®). The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam, and ICE is also a component of the COA exam, but individuals may take these components separately in order to earn Certificates of Competency. Passing either or both of these exams allows a dental assistant to demonstrate competence in these two areas that are very important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike.



Return to the List of Press Releases




---






Two New DANB-Administered State Exams Launched in 2006

View/Print as PDF



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dawn Capper
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 419
marketing@danb.org

CHICAGO (February 21, 2006) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB), the premier testing and credentialing agency for dental assistants, launched two new state exams in 2006: the Arizona Coronal Polishing (AZCP) Exam and the Delaware Dental Radiological Technology (DDRT) Exam. This exciting development brings the total of states offering DANB-administered state exams up to 11; DANB’s national exams are recognized or required in 35 states. (See “About DANB” later in this press release for more information on DANB’s national exams.)

Each state choosing to offer a state-specific exam works with DANB to craft an exam and (if desired) certificate program tailored to meet the particular requirements of the state’s dental practice act. This allows the state to test its dental assistants in the areas it deems most important, without the long-term financial and staffing responsibilities that accompany the creation, management, and maintenance of an independent examination program for dental assistants.

Arizona Coronal Polishing Exam
The Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (ASBDE) now offers the AZCP Exam as one of the requirements for dental assistants who wish to earn the Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate. This certificate will allow the assistant to perform coronal polishing duties within the state under the general supervision of a licensed dentist. DANB has been contracted to administer the complete certificate program, a service that includes providing exam information, distributing applications, testing, issuing certificates, and handling inquiries.

To acquire the Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate, a dental assistant must pass the AZCP Exam, submit an Arizona Coronal Polishing Clinical Skills Affidavit (completed by a licensed dentist or a coronal polishing educator/course instructor), and submit a completed Arizona Coronal Polishing Certificate Application to DANB. The AZCP exam is currently available in a written format, and will also be available on computer as early as April 2006.

Delaware Dental Radiological Technology Exam
Also new in 2006 (effective September 1) is the computerized DDRT Exam, which is administered by DANB under an agreement with the Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of Radiation Control (Delaware ORC).

To expose radiographs in the state of Delaware, dental assistants must earn a state certificate from the Delaware ORC by first submitting a completed state certificate application, Form R-16, to the Delaware ORC and then applying for and passing the DDRT Exam. Application for the DDRT is through DANB.

To download the AZCP Exam Fact Sheet and Application, visit DANB’s website at www.danb.org or call 1-800-FOR-DANB. For information about the DDRT exam, call 1-800-FOR-DANB or email danbmail@danb.org.

About DANB
DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing agency for dental assistants. DANB’s certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). DANB serves the public good by providing a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery.

As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence™, DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. Currently, there are more than 31,000 DANB Certificants nationwide, and DANB credentials are recognized or required in 35 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, Certification may be earned in one or more of the following areas:

• Certified Dental Assistant – CDA®
• Certified Orthodontic Assistant – COA®
• Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator – CDPMA®

In addition to these three national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS®) and Infection Control (ICE®). The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam, and ICE is also a component of the COA exam, but individuals may take these components separately in order to earn Certificates of Competency. Passing either or both of these exams allows a dental assistant to demonstrate competence in these two areas that are very important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike.

For more information about DANB, call 1-800-FOR-DANB or visit www.danb.org.



Return to the List of Press Releases




---






ADAA/DANB Alliance Publishes Position Paper on National Model for Dental Assisting

View/Print as PDF



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dawn Capper
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 419
marketing@danb.org

CHICAGO (October 12, 2005) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.® (DANB®) and the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) are pleased to announce the publication of the Position Paper of the ADAA/DANB Alliance: Addressing a Uniform National Model for the Dental Assisting Profession. Shortly after the publication in 2000 of Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, the ADAA/DANB Alliance initiated The DANB/ADAA Study to Define and Rank Order Core Competencies for Dental Assistants. The results of this study and a comprehensive analysis of their implications on the dental assisting profession and the delivery of oral healthcare services have been published in the Position Paper of the ADAA/DANB Alliance: Addressing a Uniform National Model for the Dental Assisting Profession.

The 138-page document will serve the public interest by disseminating information on the results to the following: federal-level health agencies (such as the Office of the Surgeon General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services), state Boards of Dentistry, state dental associations, organized dentistry (i.e. professional membership organizations representing various groups of dental professionals), oral health advocacy groups (such as Oral Health America), dental-related corporations, dental schools and dental assisting programs accredited by the ADA’s Commission on Dental Accreditation, other dental assisting programs (not ADA-accredited), coordinators of high school vocational education programs, and other
various policymakers and public health organizations.

Formed to address many issues related to the dental assisting profession, the ADAA/DANB Alliance set as one of its primary goals the definition and ranking of core dental assisting competencies (from most basic to most complex) in support of one national set of tasks, levels, and minimum requirements to perform these tasks, and to reinforce the concept of a viable career ladder for assistants.

The position paper draws upon the results of the Core Competency research to define and rank order core competencies for dental assistants and recommend minimum requirements for performing these competencies. A uniform national model of dental assisting tasks and requirements to perform those tasks will enable dentists to delegate identified tasks to dental assistants who have met educational/training requirements and have demonstrated competency on the tasks. This will allow dentists to focus on dentistry and assistants to perform delegated duties, with appropriate education, training, and credentialing (if required), thus increasing access to care.

Defining the duties of dental assistants, identifying educational/training requirements, and providing a legally defensible and psychometrically sound way to demonstrate competency will strengthen the dental team, making it more efficient, more cost-effective, and, most importantly, better able to meet the oral healthcare needs of the public. Go to www.danb.org to download an Executive Summary of the Position Paper and/or an order form to request a copy (via fax or mail to DANB) of the entire report for $15.

About DANB
DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing agency for dental assistants. DANB’s certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). DANB serves the public good by providing a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthca re delivery. As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence™, DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. Currently, there are more than 31, 000 DANB Certificants nationwide, and DANB credentials are recognized or required in 34 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements,
Certification may be earned in one or more of the following areas:

• Certified Dental Assistant – CDA®
• Certified Orthodontic Assistant – COA®
• Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator – CDPMA®

In addition to these three national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS®) and Infection Control (ICE®). The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam, and ICE is also a component of the COA exam, but individuals may take these components separately in order to earn Certificates of Competency. Passing either or both of these exams allows a dental assistant to demonstrate competence in these two areas that are very important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike. For more information about DANB, call 1-800-FOR-DANB or visit www.danb.org.

Return to the List of Press Releases




---






Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. Elects New Board Members

View/Print as PDF



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Dawn Capper
1-800-FOR-DANB, ext. 419
marketing@danb.org

CHICAGO (September 28, 2005) – The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.® (DANB®) is pleased to announce that three new members were elected to its Board of Directors during the Board’s August meeting.

American Dental Association (ADA) Representative – Richard F. Hunt III, DDS
Richard F. Hunt III, DDS, was elected to the Dental Assisting National Board’s (DANB’s) Board of Directors as one of two representatives of the ADA. Dr. Hunt received his DDS degree from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in 1989. He is a general dentist in Rocky Mount, NC, where he shares a practice with his wife, Dr. Amy W. Hunt. Currently, Dr. Hunt is president-elect of the North Carolina Dental Society; president-elect of the North Carolina Dental Foundation; an alternate delegate to the ADA’s House of Delegates; and a representative of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia on the ADA Council on Dental Practice.

Public Member – Marlene W. Futterman, MA
Marlene W. Futterman, MA, was elected to the position of Public Member on DANB’s Board of Directors. Ms. Futterman holds an MA in international relations from Yale University and consults in organizational management and program development with government and private agencies. Previously, she served as the first Executive Director of the Direct Selling Education Foundation, a position she held for 22 years. Ms. Futterman has served on the board of directors for several non-profit organizations, including the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the National Coalition for Consumer Education, and the Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business.

American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Representative – Donna M. Kotyk, MA, RDH, CDA
Donna M. Kotyk, MA, RDH, CDA, was elected to the position of American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Representative on DANB’s Board of Directors. Ms. Kotyk holds an MA in Education and an RDH in Dental Hygiene from the University of Michigan; she has been a CDA since 1992 and holds RDH licenses in five states. She currently serves as Dental Assisting Director at Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, MT. She is also a curriculum consultant and staff representative for the ADA’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Ms. Kotyk has served on the Dental Assisting CODA Review Committee and ADEA’s Dental Assisting Program in Education (Chair and Delegate).

DANB’s Board of Directors is comprised of nine representatives from the following stakeholder groups: three members representing the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA), two members representing the American Dental Association (ADA), one member representing the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), one member representing the American Association of Dental Examiners (AADE), one DANB Certificant elected by his or her peers (Certificant-at-large) and one member who is not from any of these groups, representing the general public (Public Member). Each stakeholder representative is elected to a three-year term, with a maximum of two terms allowed. DANB Executive Director Cynthia Durley, MEd, MBA, is an ex officio member of the DANB Board. For more information on DANB’s governance, including a complete list of the Board of Directors, visit www.danb.org.

DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the premier national certification and testing agency for dental assistants. DANB’s certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). DANB serves the public good by providing a means of identifying qualified and competent dental assistants and by measuring and promoting excellence in oral healthcare delivery. As a Mark of Dental Assisting Excellence™, DANB Certification is a source of pride for those who achieve it. Currently, there are more than 31,000 DANB Certificants nationwide, and DANB credentials are recognized or required in 34 states. For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, Certification may be earned in one or more of the following areas:

• Certified Dental Assistant – CDA®

• Certified Orthodontic Assistant – COA®

• Certified Dental Practice Management Administrator – CDPMA®

In addition to these three national credentials, DANB offers Certificates of Competency in Radiation Health and Safety (RHS®) and Infection Control (ICE®). The RHS and ICE exams are components of the CDA exam, and ICE is also a component of the COA exam, but individuals may take these components separately in order to earn Certificates of Competency. Passing either or both of these exams allows a dental assistant to demonstrate competence in these two areas that are very important to the health and safety of oral healthcare workers and patients alike.

For more information about DANB, call 1-800-FOR-DANB or visit www.danb.org.



Return to the List of Press Releases




---




For questions or concerns regarding DANB Marketing, contact:

Marketing and Communications Department
Dental Assisting National Board
444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 900
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Click here to send the Marketing Department an E-Mail!